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Trump Rejects Staffer’s Resignation Over Melania Plagiarism

Updated 04.13.17 3:31PM ET / Published 07.20.16 12:32PM ET

Mark Kauzlarich/Reuters

Donald Trump on Wednesday rejected a staffer’s resignation for plagiarizing Melania Trump’s Republican National Convention speech. The staffer, Meredith McIver, released a letter Wednesday in which she admitted to including “some of [Obama’s] phrasing in the draft that ultimately became the final speech.” McIver said she made a mistake in not cross-checking the final version with Obama’s words. “I feel terrible for the chaos I’ve caused Melania and the Trumps, as well as to Mrs. Obama,” she wrote. “No harm was meant.” McIver said Trump declined her resignation because “people make innocent mistakes” and “we learn and grow from these experiences.” The admittance of plagiarism comes in contradiction of campaign manager Paul Manafort’s outright denial of any issues with Melania’s speech.